Several years ago a few autism parents began meeting regularly to jointly explore what life after high school would look like for our autistic children. What was found—or rather NOT found—was terrifying. For the autistic children unable to attend college, the supportive educational environment and social relationships parents worked so hard to establish would end at age 22.

An adult system for autistic individuals that includes work, volunteer opportunities, recreation, social activities and housing simply doesn’t exist. It doesn’t exist because there has never been an autistic adult population of this magnitude.

So we set out to build a future for adults with autism. Our work so far has included:

Research

• Researched over 150 planned and existing homes and communities for adults with developmental disabilities• Visited Ohio-based autism-specific residences and farms• Defined gaps between projected need & capacity of housing services and funding• Collaborated on OSU co-design research projects studying the inclusion of individuals with autism in the design process• Compiled extensive library of studies, reports, and best practice models for housing, transition, and services